XINYI LIUHE QUANXinyi Liuhe Quan (literally - Fist of Mind, Intention and Six Harmonies) is a martial art that has developed in Henan Province among Chinese Hui (Moslem) nationality. It is considered one of the most powerful and fighting-oriented styles among other Chinese Martial Arts, and for a long time it has been known for its effectiveness in fighting, while very few actually knew the practice methods of the style. Xinyi Liuhe Quan, along with Cha Quan and Qi Shi Quan (Boxing of Seven Postures), have been considered "Jiao Men Quan" ("religious - e.g. Moslem - boxing") meant to protect followers of Islam in China.For more than two centuries the style had been kept secret and transmitted only to very few Moslem practitioners. Only at the beginning of this century first native Chinese (Han nationality) learnt the style, but still up to now the most skilful experts of Xinyi Liuhe Quan can be found within Hui communities in China.Since the arts of Xinyi and Xingyiquan are generally divided into Hebei, Shanxi and Henan branches, the style is also called Henan Xinyi/Xingyi. In the West the style is often referred to as Ten Animals Xingyi.The early history of the style is not very clear.The art of Xinyi Liuhe Quan was passed secretly among Chinese Moslems and has been known as "the most cruel style among Chinese martial arts"According to "Preface to Six Harmonies Boxing" ("Liuhequan Xu") written in 1750, the style was created by Yue Fei who "as a child learnt from a master of deep knowledge and became very skilful at spear play; (on this basis) he created a boxing method to teach his officers and called it "Intention Boxing" (Yi Quan); (the martial art was) marvelous and ingenious, unlike any other before. After the King (e.g. Yue Fei) (passed away), during Jin, Yuan and Ming dynasties the art was rarely seen. Master Ji, called Ji Jike, also known as Ji Longfeng living at the end of Ming and beginning of Qing dynasties in Zhufeng of Pudong (today's Zun Village in Shanxi Province), went to Zhongnan Mountains to visit teachers with deep knowledge there and received the boxing manual of King Wumu (e.g. Yue Fei) (...)".According to "Ji Clan Chronicles" (Ji Shi Jiapu) Ji Longfeng's spear skill was extraordinary and he was known as "Divine Spear" (Shen Qiang). He created a fist boxing using spear principles and taught in Henan.

Y - Styles

YABUSAMEThe art of horsemanship combined with archery is still practised nowadays in Japan, mostly during Shintô ceremonies. This art is called YABUSAME. This Martial Art has been seldom practised until the end of the eighties, period when Grandmaster Hiroo Mochizuki re-introduced the techniques of the ancient Martial Art and conceived a method of Bajutsu adapted to modern times. Grandmaster Hiroo Mochizuki is part of an ancient Samurai lineage and is holder of numerous Martial Arts certificates and degrees (8th DAN Ju-Jutsu, 8th DAN Aikido, 7th DAN Karate, 5th DAN Iaido, 3rd DAN Judo and more).YARI JUTSUJapanse art of the spearYAWARA RYUYawara Ryu takes its name from the terms used to describe meekness (Yawara Gi), Pacifier (Yawara Ge), and the Japanese character Yawara which can mean gentle or pliable, or can be used as a noun to describe grappling with weapons or unarmed combat. The school teaches a complete system, with a coherent methodology applied to both its armed and unarmed techniques. The principles and techniques of the system are founded on those previously tried and tested on the battlefield during the armed conflicts throughout Japanese history. From these, Ryu gi (sects or systems) developed differing methods or schools, each placing different emphasis on one aspect or another of the fighting arts. All, however, had one aim borne out of the Jutsu tradition, to provide an effective and direct way of dispatching an antagonist whether by killing or subduing him. What better "Melting Pot" or testing ground than this could exist for a combat self defence system to develop.Yawara Ryu can trace its line of development back to the traditional Ryu which taught a large number of Sciences or Jutsu, but tended to specialise in one or two areas of study; thus students studied both armed and unarmed techniques. Students would also, at senior levels, study specialist skills such as underwater grappling (ashi-garami) and Kassei ho revival arts etc.YAW YAN BUNOIt sounds chinese, the movements slightly resemble that of Thai-Boxing and Korea's Tae-kwon-do but the origin is strictly Filipino. Yaw-Yan is billed as the Philippine's most lethal martial art. The acknowledged originator of Yaw-Yan is Grandmaster Napoleon A. Fernandez, a native of Quezon province, himself an undefeated All-asian and Far-East Kickboxing champion. The word Yaw-Yan was derived from the two last syllables of "Sayaw ng Kamatayan" meaning "Dance of Death".Contrary to most popular belief, Yaw-Yan is not purely a full-contact no-holds barred sport martial arts. It is a complete martial training with body-mind coordination and test of enduring indomitable spirit. More than just physical training, it also involves the mental disciplines of focus, concentration, alertness, flexibility, stamina, speed and continuity. Students train for real confrontation and actual fights -- on or off the ring. Advanced Disciples have to go through a rigorous ritual of practice and discipline consisting of actual full-contact sparring, bag hitting, and flexibility exercises. The Elbows (siko), knees (tuhod), and shin (lulod) are utilized in much the same way as in Muay Thai. Yaw-Yan practitioners have to learn 40 basic kicks, advanced disciples have to be able to execute and apply complexed advanced kicks requiring great dexterity, flexibility, and mastery. Most of these advanced kicks are trick kicks which always caught unsuspecting opponents by surprise.YOSEIKAN BAJUTSUBased on the most ancient warriors techniques of the Japanese feudal time, it is in fact the practice of the fighting methods used by famous Samourais. If the purpose of this discipline is not anymore today to do war, it remains nevertheless a military art, as well as a separate equestrian discipline.This discipline groups together a set of varied techniques such as : archery on horseback, sabre fighting, spear launching, manipulation of the lance, the dagger and the stick, falling techniques, horsemanship techniques, training, equestrian vaulting, work with foot soldiers, show jumping, work with bare-hands (foot soldiers and riders), study of katas (canevas comparable in a way to dressage)...etc.This art of equitation associated to the archery still continues in the practice of Yabusame (bow shooting practice practised nowadays in Japan during the traditional Shinto ceremonies). Formerly in Japan, one rose on horseback by the right-hand side, by carrying the weight of the body towards the back, contrary to the current custom. Samourai on horseback fixed the reins on a ring of its armor to have the hands free to fight or fire , and steered then its horse only by legs and weight of its body. The saddle was wood covered with tissue or with leather, and had a dosseret. Stirrups were wide and deep, allowing a stability at all speeds. The Ba (horse) Jutsu (technique) included complete courses of equitation with and without armors, going from the training of horses to the mastery of the aids, and included show jumping, crossings of rivers, as well as the learning of the customs of the different weapons on could handle on horseback : big sabres, bow, yari, naginata, ...etc. Every family warrior had her own techniques of Bajutsu. One of Bajustu's most ancient traditional school was called "Otsubo-ryü", created in the XV century ; this school used the big bow (Yumi) and very long bent sabre (O-dachi)This archery, considered in Europe as "feudal lord" and non-noble, was in Japan, the privilege of the aristocrats and of some cavalry special body. For the fights, horses were protected by a leather armor with patches of metal on the chamfer. Bajutsu remained in Japan until 1600 when it disappeared definitively further to the use of firearms in the fight.Today, things have changed a little, and so at the end of the 80s, the Japanese Boss Hiroo Mochizuki (coming himself from a lineage of Samourais), founder of the School YOSEIKAN retied with the tradition and put back in the style of the day, the practice of Bajutsu. Due to his previous history and strong experience of Budos (8th DAN Jui-Jitsu, 8the Dan Aikido, 7th Dan karate, 5th dan Iaido, 3rd Dan Judo,...,etc), Hiroo MOCHIZUKI, rider since his youngest age, encountered no difficulty conceiving modern Bajutsu within the reach of all.Named since two years World Engineering Manager, it is to me that returns today the heavy task to conceive the technical program for this discipline. Helped by my faithful assistants among whom Olivier MATTON and Patrice JAMINET (who both present now their 2nd Dan), as well as by Valerie (specific training of the horses), I notice with enjoyment that after 7 years of existence in our country, Belgium has been followed in worldwide. Indeed, one speaks and practices (sometimes still confidentially) Bajutsu in France of course, but also in Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Canada and in the United States.The functional aspect of Bajutsu for any type of rider still stands out because of the fact that for three years, the Equestrian Section of the Police of Mons follows Bajutsu Special Police courses. The bow is naturally not used directly anymore but rather in an educational purpose, but techniques for arresting and defence on horseback were developed to allow the policemen face many situations. The techniques of training used also allow a good education of the police's horse. So it is not surprising to see on one of the parking lots of the "Ecuries du Grand Royal", vehicules and horse trailers of the Police ; Valerie and I welcome every month these horses and police riders in training.YOSEIKAN BUDOYoseikan Budo ("the house in which is taught with courage and honesty the way of the warrior") was founded in the early 60's by Hiroo Mochizuki Sensei, son of Minoru Mochizuki, one of the great martial artists of the 20th century. Mochizuki Hiroo Sensei has high Dan rankings in several martial arts, among them Aikido, Jujutsu, Wado-Ryu Karate, and Iaido. Yoseikan Budo is today spread throughout Europe, Africa and the USA. The FYBDA (Federation Internacional de Yoseikan Budo et Disziplines Asimilees) is the worldwide umbrella organization, which is subdivided in national Academies and regional federations.Mochizuki Hiroo Sensei realized that most basic techniques are based on a wavy movement beginning in the hip, which produces much more power than when movement is limited to only extremities. These basic elements are taught and applied to all YB techniques. YB consists of modified) techniques of Karate, Judo/Ju-Jutsu and Aikido. The use of classical weapons as Bokken, Tanto, Bo, Nunchaku etc is taught as well as traditional and new forms (kata). Beginners usually study basic techniques for a year or so, including mae-geri, mawashi-geri etc, nage-waza, falls, foot-work, kata, etc. From 3rd Kyu to 1st Kyu more aikido-techniques and the use of weapons are taught. Competitions are held and consist of Kata, Randori, Tanto-Tanto, etc.There was a split of the umbrella organization in the early years, leading to a sub-style (found primarily in the UA) with the name YB that focuses primarily on Aikido-techniques.YUDOArchaeologists have shown that cultural and technical advancement came to Korea through China. In turn, these advancements were later taken to Japan from Korea. Such advancements included unarmed combat techniques.It is no surprise then that Korea has a rich martial arts history that includes all types of fighting skills. Though many people are familiar with Korean-style kicking and punching, most are not aware of Korean strangling, joint lock, or throwing techniques. They may not even know that the Koreans have complete unarmed fighting systems. Yudo is one such system.During Korea's Three Kingdom Period, the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. to 937 A.D.), developed specific throwing techniques for their Hwa Rang Do Warriors. Throwing techniques were also found in Taik Kyon, which could be considered Tae Kwon Do's predecessor. A primary throwing system, Kagju, was practiced in the Koryo Kingdom (918 A.D. to 1392 A.D.).Many of the specifics of these techniques (but not all) would end up being lost to martial art historians. Many of them would later surface, however, in the various styles of Jujutsu in Japan.Ironically, a complete unarmed fighting art would be reintroduced to Korea from Japan, by Jigaro Kano, after the Japanese occupation of Korea, shortly before the First World War. Jigaro Kano called his art Kodokan Judo, and it was a martial art based upon the application of scientific principles. A system specifically designed for self-defense.Professor Kano was a distinguished educator and the Father of Physical Education in Japan. His martial art was unique in that it contained a self-defense system that allowed people to practice safely, in a form that could be taught easily as part of the public school curriculum.His intent was never to have Kodokan Judo practiced as or modified into a sport. It is said that later in his life, Professor Kano witnessed a sport judo tournament and was dismayed at the lack of his applied scientific principles. Sport judo had basically become a contest of strength and resembled wrestling, instead of his martial art. Professor Kano was quoted as saying: 'This [sport judo] is not the Kodokan Judo that I teach, this will be the end of Kodokan Judo." Little did he know then, that he was foretelling Judo's future. Judo today is almost universally practiced as a sport, not for the purpose of self-defense -- except within the Republic of Korea (ROK) Yudo Association.Yudo is the Korean pronunciation for Judo and some Koreans, both in ROK and in this country, tend to use the two terms interchangeably. Sports judo has flourished within the Republic of Korea and Korean sports judo players have distinguished themselves on the international tournament scene and in the Olympics. As is increasingly the practice however, I shall herein refer to Judo as referring to sports judo, Kodokan Judo as the teachings of Jigoro Kano, and Yudo as that form of self-defense which encompasses all of Kodokan Judo and incorporates additional traditional Korean martial arts techniques.Jigoro Kano's teachings are the basis for the practice of Yudo within the Republic of Korea Yudo Association (ROKYA). Those teachings were reinforced and developed for the Korean practitioners by the teachers sent to the Korean Peninsula, from the Kodokan, during the occupation. The ROKYA have remained loyal to what they were taught by Kano, even when, during the Occupation of Japan following its defeat in World War II, all martial arts training halls were ordered closed, and when the Kodokan itself was allowed to re-open, it did so as a sport training center.After liberation in Korea, the martial arts flourished, as ancient manuscripts were dug up from the ground in which they had been buried, hidden from the Japanese. Sport judo became very popular among the young, while the ROKYA remained loyal to its core teachings and began to reintroduce traditional Korean techniques to enhance its self-defense applications.Yudo has no attack. The size of the attacker has no bearing on the ability of the defender to receive the attack, execute a technique, and satisfactorily terminate the incident. Since the student learns that the response chosen, in a given instance, must correspond to the nature of the threat encountered, minimum required force becomes the fighting standard.This approach to self-defense inherently conforms to the American legal doctrine as it applies to use of force, and confronts the growing public concern with the level of violence demonstrated in many contemporary martial arts.In time, sports judo outgrew it roots. Various sports judo organization were created to govern in the schools, colleges, universities, among the military and general public, and among the international and Olympic competitors.By the second-half of the 1990's, the greying of the ROKYA had reached the point of serious concern, that traditional Yudo might be lost to future generations. It was time to transplant traditional Yudo, if the art was to be guaranteed survival.In 1997, two senior Dans in Yudo, both Americans, were created by promotion certificates personally signed by Kim Chul Ho, then President of the ROK Yudo Association. In February 1998, the United States Yudo Association (USYA) was incorporated and in April 1998, formal approval was given for the installation of the USYA as the National Governing Body in the United States for the martial art of Yudo by the Yudo Committee of the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association (KMAIA), a committee chaired by the new President of ROKYA, Lee Hwe Yul.At the same time, approval was given for the rank requirements and the Yudo curriculum which had been proposed to the ROKYA by the USYA.At a ceremony held in Seoul, Republic of Korea on November 1st, 1998 Grandmaster Joseph F. Connolly, II, was promoted to 9th Dan in Yudo by Grandmaster Lee Hwe Yul, President of the ROK Yudo Association.Grandmaster Connolly is President of the United States Yudo Association. By this ceremony, the baton was passed -- from the Old World to the New World -- for Yudo. Grandmaster Connolly is the National Director for Yudo of the United States Martial Arts Association.It is the intention of the USYA that the memory and teachings of Jigoro Kano be kept alive and that Yudo, now a uniquely Korean martial art, become the martial art for the coming millennium in the United States.YU-SOLYu-sol is a soft Korean style that emphasizes non-resistance. Practitioners wait for opponent to make the first move and then counter-attack. Although popular for many centuries, it is no longer practiced.

Z - Styles

ZANJI SHINJINKEN RYUZanji Shinjinken-Ryu is an ancient school of swordsmanship. One important difference between Zanji and other martial arts is that the form is designed to kill. Not wound, not injuire, not knockout. A sword is an instrument of death and it is the main tool of the Zanji.A master of the sword art will carefully evaluate any opponent. Standing motionless, he will wait until the exact moment when, without thought or direction, he can attack instantly. If attacked, the response will be to parry and counterattack, instantly.ZIPOTABasque unarmed fight discipline, resembling French 'Savate', related to armed Makila

_________________________
A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.

I have had this list for about 4 years and not sure where I got all the information I compiled, My Aim was to help beginners find information on the Art thay have started or what they wish to take up, Plus it is not bias to any style really although information is some was hard to find

_________________________
A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.

Quote: LER DRITLer Drit is a rare and powerful martial art that mixes powerful hand to hand techniques with highly trained use of psychic powers, known as "Soul Power".

I am speechless. . what is this??? YOU SURE?!?!? Because last time I checked, there was nothing about "soul power" in Lerd rit. Unless I've got it confused with the Thai martial art.

Quote: Modern Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) originated from Krabi Krabong (a Thai weapons art roughly meaning "stick and sword"). When the Thais lost their weapons or fought close quarters with weapons they used knees, elbows, feet, fists and headbutting.

I disagree with this totally. As a MT sage, let me recite a little history. Modern Muay Thai was created when Muay Lopburi got exposed to Queensbury boxing, which created the gloved sport we see today. Details you can find in the MT forum.

Muay Thai did not develop from Krabi Krabong, but it's actually quite the opposite. Krabi Krabong was developed during the Ayuthaya era, whereas Muay Boran has been with the Thai people for around 2500 years since we immigrated down south from China. Let me ask you; which comes first in human evolution? Fist made of flesh and bone, or swords made of wood and metal.

Another thing; Krabi Krabong means "Saber and Staff". Krabi is a saber; Krabong is a staff exactly similar to a japanese Bo.

-Taison out

_________________________
I got two fists.. Don't make me use my head as well!